Fiber washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is described for washing and drying a tow of proteinaceous fibers which comprises conveyor means for conveying the tow along a generally horizontal flow path and a plurality of treating means positioned along the tow flow path for sequentially treating the tow, such treating means comprising means for applying wash solutions to the tow, means for moving wash solution from the tow, means for applying rinse solution to the tow, means for removing rinse solution from the tow and gas flow means for drying the tow.

United States Patent Hartman et al.

[54] FIBER WASHING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Warren Emery Hartman; William Randall Johnson, both of Worthington, Ohio Worthington Foods, Inc., Worthington, Ohio [22] Filed: July 6,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 52,393

[73] Assignee:

[52] US. Cl. ..68/20, 68/205 R [51] Int. Cl ..B05b 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..68/20, 205. R

[5 6] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,123,994 3/1964 Brown et al ..68/20 X AIR [451 July 18,1972

Primary Examiner-William I. Price Attorney-Joseph C. Schwalbach, Michael A. Kondzella, Louis E. Davidson and Harry T. Stephenson [5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus is described for washing and drying a tow of proteinaceous fibers which comprises conveyor means for conveying the tow along a generally horizontal flow path and a plurality of treating means positioned along the tow flow path for sequentially treating the tow, such treating means comprising means for applying wash solutions to the tow, means for moving wash solution from the tow, means for applying rinse solution to the tow, means for removing rinse solution from the tow and gas flow means for drying the tow.

6 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure WASH SOLUTION PATENTED JUL 1 8 I972 WASH SOLUTION \NVENTORS WARREN EMERY HARTMAN WILLIAM RANDALL TOH NSO N B 5. Em

ATTORNEY FIBER WASHING APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART It has been known for several years that proteinaceous fibers can be prepared by extruding an alkaline solution of protein, such as casein or soy protein, through a plurality of small openings into an acid bath whereby the extrudate is coagulated into a plurality of proteinaceous fibers. One use for such fibers is in the production of textured food products. US. Pat. No. 2,682,466 describes the combination of spun protein fibers and edible binders to form textured protein food products, such as simulated meats.

The as-spun" protein fibers have an acidic pH value below about 5, for example, and thus are not directly suitable in simulated meats. It is known that the spun fibers can be treated with a neutralizing bath, such as an aqueous sodium carbonate solution, to adjust their pH to a more desirable value between about 6 and about 7. The prior art techniques and apparatus for adjusting the pH of the spun fibers were not commercially successful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, apparatus useful for washing and drying a tow of fibers is provided which comprises conveyor means for conveying said tow along a generally horizontal tow flow path and a plurality of treating means positioned along said tow flow path for sequentially treating said tow, said plurality of treating means comprising first means for applying a wash solution to the underside of the tow and passing said wash solution up through the tow, second means for applying a wash solution to the upper side of the tow and passing said wash solution down through the tow, third means for applying a rinse solution to the upper side of the washed tow and passing said rinse solution down through the, tow, gas applying means for passing a gas through the rinsed tow to fluff and dry said tow, and means for removing liquid from the portions of the tow adjacent said second and third solution applying means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber washing apparatus 10 employed to wash and dry a tow 12 of proteinaceous fibers which has been spun by well-known techniques. This apparatus comprises a conveyor filter cloth 34 employed to convey the tow 12 along a substantially horizontal tow flow path formed by such flter cloth 34, a conveyor belt 50 to drive the filter cloth 34, liquid application means 16, 18 and 22 for applying liquid to the tow as it is conveyed along the tow flow path, gas application means 26 for applying gas to the tow as it is conveyed along the tow flow path, and a vacuum box 30 for providing a subatmospheric pressure beneath the tow to suck liquid and gas through the tow.

The porous conveyor filter cloth 34 is conveniently in an endless form passing over idler rollers 36, 38 and 40 and over supporting rollers 42, 44, 46 and 48. Idler rollers 36, 38 and 40 and supporting rollers 42, 44, 46 and 48 are supported by axles 37, 39, .41, 43, 45, 47 and 49, respectively, which are in turn joumaled into appropriate support bearings (not shown).

. The conveyor belt 50 is porous and is aligned along the tow flow path, being positioned subadjacent to the upper extent of the filter cloth 34. Conveyor belt 50 is conveniently in an endless form passing over drive roller 52 and idler roller 54. Rollers 52 and 54 are supported by axles 53 and 55, respectively, which are in turn joumaled into appropriate support bearings (not shown). Drive roller 52 is rotated by suitable drive means (not shown) connected with axle 53.

When drive roller 52 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, the upper extent of conveyor belt 50 will move along the tow flow path in a generally rightto-left direction. The positions of idler rollers 36, 38 and 40 are so adjusted as to provide a satisfactory frictional contact between filter cloth 34 and conveyor belt 50 along the upper extents of said cloth 34 and belt 50. Filter cloth 34 will thus be conveyed along the tow flow path in conjunction with movement of belt 50.

The elongated trough-like vacuum box 30 has an open top located below and in close proximity to the upper extents of filter cloth 34 and conveyor belt 50 with the longitudinal dimension of said vacuum box 30 aligned with said tow flow path. A vacuum line 32 connected at a suitable vacuum pump (not shown) communicates with vacuum box 30 to maintain a subatmospheric pressure in said vacuum box below the upper extents of said filter cloth 34 and conveyor belt 50.

The first liquid application means 16 takes the form of a generally U-shaped conduit having a generally horizontal extent 14 provided with a plurality of small openings along its upper surface. Application means 16 is connected to a suitable source (not shown) of alkaline wash liquid under pressure. The second liquid application means 18 comprises a plurality of substantially coplanar parallel generally horizontal conduits 18a, 18b and each having a plurality of small openings along its lower surface. Conduit feed means 20 communicates with means 18 and supplies alkaline wash liquid under pressure from a suitable source (not shown). The third liquid application means 22 comprises a plurality of substantially coplanar parallel generally horizontal conduits 22a and 22b each having a plurality of small openings along its lower surface. Conduit feed means 24 communicates with means 22 and supplies neutral rinse liquid under pressure from a suitable source (not shown). Gas application means 26 comprises a plurality of substantially coplanar parallel generally horizontal conduits 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d each having a plurality of small openings along its lower surface. Conduit feed means 28 communicates with means 26 and supplies drying gas, such as air, under pressure from a suitable source (not shown).

Liquid application means l6, l8 and 22 and gas application means 26 are spaced from each other and are aligned along and above the upper extent of filter cloth 34 with their application conduits parallel to each other and transverse to the tow flow path formed by the upper extent of said filter cloth 34.

Portion 56 of the combined filter cloth 34 and conveyor belt 50 in conjunction with vacuum box 30 located between liquid application means 18 and 22 forms a first liquid removal means. Any liquid present on the filter cloth 34 in this portion will be sucked into the vacuum box 30. Corresponding portion 58 of filter cloth 34 located between liquid application means 22 and gas application means 26 forms a second liquid removal means.

In the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, drive roller 52 is activated to start movement of conveyor belt 50 and filter cloth 34. An alkaline wash solution is introduced into conduit 16 so that such solution passes out of the upper openings in conduit extent 14. In a similar fashion, an alkaline wash solution is introduced to fed conduit 20 and rinse water is introduced to feed conduit 24 so that liquids can pass out of the lower openings in conduits 18a, 18b, 18c, 22a and 22b. Air is introduced to feed conduit 28 so that air can pass out through the lower openings in conduits 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d. A subatmospheric pressure is then maintained in vacuum box 30 through vacuum line 32.

An acidic tow of proteinaceous fibers 12 is then passed over conduit extent l4 and placed on the conveyor means comprising the upper extents of the filter cloth 34 and conveyor belt 50. Alkaline wash solution from conduit extent 14 is applied to the underside of tow l2 and passes up through the tow to partially neutralize the tow. As the tow is conveyed along the upper extent of filter cloth 34, it sequentially passes under liquid application means 18 where it is further neutralized by alkaline wash solution, over liquid removal means 56 where the alkaline solution is removed, under liquid application means 22 where it is rinsed with water, over liquid removal means 58 where the rinse liquid is removed, and under gas application means 26.

The application of subatmospheric pressure in the vacuum box 30 to the underside of the tow beneath liquid application means 18 and 22 increases the efi'ectiveness of the washing and rinsing liquids on the individual fibers of the tow by increasing the flow velocity through the tow to values significantly above those attained by gravity flow alone. The liquids from liquid application means 18 and 22 which enter vacuum box 30 are removed through line 32 and are subsequently separated by well-known means from the gas in line 32.

The subatmospheric pressure in vacuum box 30 underneath gas application means 26 causes a substantial amount of atmospheric air to pass through the tow and provide a drying action. In order to further dry the tow, high velocity individual air streams flowing downwardly out of the lower openings in conduits 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d impinge on the tow and fluff the individual fibers thereof. This enables the gas flow through the tow to more effectively dry each fiber. The dried tow moves off of the discharge end of the upper extent of the filter cloth 34 for subsequent use in the production of simulated meats, for example.

In a preferred form of the apparatus of the present invention, a gas application means 62, in the form of a conduit having a generally horizontal conduit extent 60 having a plurality of small openings along its upper surface, is positioned along the tow flow path ahead of the first liquid application means 16. Gas application means 62 is connected to a suitable source (not shown) of gas under pressure. The acidic tow which usually contains a substantial amount of entrained liquid from its previous production and storage is passed over conduit extent 60 and air from the small openings in conduit 60 passes up through the tow to remove liquid from the tow.

The speed of filter cloth 34 along the tow flow path and the flow rates of liquid and gas through the various application means are adjusted so as to achieve the desired final pH and moisture conditions of the tow leaving the fiber washing ap paratus 10.

The subject invention is also concerned with the novel rocess of sequentially washing an acidic proteinaceous tow with an alkaline wash solution, removing the wash solution from the tow, rinsing the tow with a neutral rinse solution, removing the rinse solution from the tow and drying the tow with a gas.

In summary, the present invention is concerned with apparatus and process for conveniently and effectively washing and drying a tow of protein fibers which are then useful for inclusion in simulated meat products.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for washing and drying a tow of fibers which comprises conveyor means for conveying said tow along a generally horizontal tow flow path and a plurality of treating means positioned along said tow flow path for sequentially treating said tow, said plurality of treating means comprising first means for applying a wash solution to the underside of the tow and passing said wash solution up through the tow, second means for applying a wash solution to the upperside of the tow and passing said wash solution down through the tow, third means for applying a rinse solution to the upperside of the washed tow and passing said rinse solution down through the tow, gas applying means for passing a gas through the rinsed tow to flufi and dry said tow, and means for removing liquid from the portions of the tow adjacent said second and third solution applying means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 having means for passing a gas up through the tow to remove liquid from the tow, said means being located along the tow flow path ahead of said first means for applying a wash solution to the tow.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for removing liquid comprises means for applying subatmospheric pressure to the underside of the tow as it is moved along said tow path past said second and third solution applying means and said gas applying means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises a porous filter cloth.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises, in combination, a porous filter cloth superimposed on a porous conveyor belt, such that the tow being transported is disposed on the filter cloth which is in turn in frictional contact with and driven by the conveyor belt.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first means for applying a wash solution to the underside of the two comprises a generally horizontal conduit means below said tow path having a plurality of openings along its upper surface through which said wash solution passes, said second means for applying a wash solution to the upper side of the tow comprises generally horizontal conduit means above said tow path having a plurality of openings along its lower surface through which said wash solution passes, said third means for applying a rinse solution to the upper side of the tow comprises generally horizontal conduit means above said tow path having a plurality of openings along its lower surface through which said rinse solution passes, and said means for passing a gas through the tow comprises generally horizontal conduit means above said flow path having a plurality of openings along its lower surface through which said gas passes. 

1. Apparatus for washing and drying a tow of fibers which comprises conveyor means for conveying said tow along a generally horizontal tow flow path and a plurality of treating means positioned along said tow flow path for sequentially treating said tow, said plurality of treating means comprising first means for applying a wash solution to the underside of the tow and passing said wash solution up through the tow, second means for applying a wash solution to the upperside of the tow and passing said wash solution down through the tow, third means for applying a rinse solution to the upperside of the washed tow and passing said rinse solution down through the tow, gas applying means for passing a gas through the rinsed tow to fluff and dry said tow, and means for removing liquid from the portions of the tow adjacent said second and third solution applying means.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 having means for passing a gas up through the tow to remove liquid from the tow, said means being located along the tow flow path ahead of said first means for applying a wash solution to the tow.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for removing liquid comprises means for applying subatmospheric pressure to the underside of the tow as it is moved along said tow path past said second and third solution applying means and said gas applying means.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises a porous filter cloth.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises, in combination, a porous filter cloth superimposed on a porous conveyor belt, such that the tow being transported is disposed on the filter cloth which is in turn in frictional contact with and driven by the conveyor belt.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first means for applying a wash solution to the underside of the two comprises a generally horizontal conduit means below said tow path having a plurality of openings along its upper surface through which said wash solution passes, said second means for applying a wash solution to the upper side of the tow comprises generally horizontal conduit means above said tow path having a plurality of openings along its lower surface through which said wash solution passes, said third means for applying a rinse solution to the upper side of the tow comprises generally horizontal conduit means above said tow path having a plurality of openings along its lower surface through which said rinse solution passes, and said means for passing a gas through the tow comprises generally horizontal conduit means above said flow path having a plurality of openings along its lower surface through which said gas passes. 